Rams claim quarterback Baker Mayfield off waivers following Panthers' release

It didn’t take long for the former number one overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, quarterback Baker Mayfield to find a new home. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Mayfield did not make it through the waiver wire and has been picked up by the Los Angeles Rams.

With the Rams not taking a chance on seeing whether or not he would clear waivers now makes them responsible for the remaining portion of his contract. Los Angeles inherits a $1.35 million remaining salary on the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks contract.

During his lone season with the Panthers, Mayfield passed for 1,313 yards while throwing for six touchdowns as well as six interceptions. It simply never clicked for him inside Ben McAdoo’s offense or with former head coach Matt Rhule who was also released by the team. But both have found nice landing spots. Rhule is now in Lincoln, NE, and is the new head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. And Mayfield has a chance to turn around his season with the Rams.

With Los Angeles struggling to find answers at quarterback now that their star starting quarterback and fellow former number one overall pick Matthew Stafford is out with an injury, Mayfield could be in line for immediate playing time. The Former Carolina Panther and ex-Cleveland Brown could possibly play in the Rams’ Thursday night matchup versus the Las Vegas Raiders.

Mayfield cut by Carolina Panthers

On Monday news broke that the former Heisman Trophy winner and first overall pick is being released by the Carolina Panthers, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

“Sources: The #Panthers are expected to release QB Baker Mayfield,” tweeted Rapoport. “He’ll hit waivers when it’s finalized later today.”

Ironically, the news comes one day after Deshaun Watson — the quarterback who essentially replaced Mayfield with the Cleveland Browns — returned to the NFL and made his first start for Mayfield’s former franchise.

Afterwards, the former Oklahoma star was shipped to Carolina, where he hoped to rebuild his NFL career ahead of hitting free agency. Now, he’ll hit the market sooner than anticipated, as it simply never clicked for Mayfield and the Panthers.